Question

what is meant by the enclosure movement? What problem did it pose before the poor?

Answer 1

The common land which was property of the whole village was being enclosed by rich landlords by building hedges around the fields. The impact of enclosure on poor farmers are mentioned below in the following ways :

1. The poor could no longer collect firewood from the forest and graze their cattle on the commons.
2. They could no longer collect apples and berries or hunt animal for meat.
3. They could no longer collect the extras kept after harvesting.
4. the poors were disabled from the commons and seen to be dominated by their customary rights, gradually disappearing.
5. Some of them were migrated towards southern counties like England where, there is great demandes for agricultural laboures.